Graves honored by WateReuse for commitment to reuse advocacy

For his unwavering dedication to developing long-term, safe, and sustainable water supplies, Garver Central Region Water Director Michael Graves was presented with one of the water and wastewater industry’s highest honors Monday. Graves, Garver’s leading sustainable water supply strategist, was presented the 2018 WateReuse Award for Excellence in the Advocacy Achievement category on Sept. 10 during the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium in Austin, Texas.

Backed by more than 20 years of water reuse advocacy, Graves has pioneered common sense implementation and promotion of water reuse practices through volunteer efforts, education programs, and speaking engagements. He served on the first Oklahoma Department of Quality (ODEQ) water reuse committee, which led to state regulations on nonpotable reuse in 2012, and he chaired ODEQ’s water quality standards review committee on reuse, leading to the adoption of indirect potable reuse regulations in 2018.

“Water advocacy turned from a career to a passion of mine almost 20 years ago, when I realized that effluent discharge from a facility that I managed could be reclaimed for more efficient use,” Graves said. “Since then, I’ve dedicated most of my professional career to protecting our most valuable natural resource for future generations, and I’m honored to receive this award from an organization who leads that mission.”

As a leader on Garver’s Water Team, Graves has guided numerous projects that implemented advanced water treatment processes, including creating a master plan that utilizes reclaimed water through updates to a wastewater treatment plant. Graves is currently active in the Water Environment Federation, the WateReuse Association, the Oklahoma Water Environment Association, Oklahoma Water Pollution Control Association, and the Oklahoma Congress of Mayors Water Advisory Committee.

WateReuse is an internationally-recognized advocacy group aimed at increasing the practice of recycling water. The Advocacy Achievement award recognizes individuals who demonstrated leadership, creativity and persistence in supporting recycled water projects.